NCAAF: QUICK HITS
The fourth week of the college football season brings the biggest conference games to date.
The time of powerhouses to play powder puff teams is coming to an end and so is the time for mediocre college picks.
It’s been a rough start to the season with two weeks at even par, and a losing week last week with Oregon’s slow start ruining any chance at salvaging last Saturday’s picks.
Through three weeks, the record stands at 5-7 but there are some good games to win with this week. Here’s a look at a few.
Iowa Hawkeyes (+1) @ Pittsburgh Panthers
Iowa is getting a lot of respect as they head to Pittsburgh with their 3-0 record. My only question is who have they played? The Hawkeyes opened against I-AA Maine, and then played a team that should be I-AA in Florida International, followed by rival Iowa State last week. All three games were at home too.
Pittsburgh started the season ranked in the Top 25 before opening with a stunning loss to Bowling Green. They followed that up with a win over the Buffalo Bulls but have yet to cover a spread this season. The Panthers have had two weeks to prepare for this game and it’s a must-win for a program looking to restore respect after an unimpressive first two games.
Pick: Pittsburgh -1
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (+4) @ Florida State Seminoles
Wake Forest hasn’t been a favorite against their ACC rivals from Florida State in over 10 years. Being an underdog has fared well for the Demon Deacons though as they’ve covered seven of the last 10 games against the Seminoles with one push.
After a couple of down years for the historic Florida State program, they are seeking prominence once again and have high expectations for this home game. The Seminoles opened with easy home wins over West Carolina and Chattanooga while Wake won at Baylor and snuck out a last-second win over Mississippi. I’m expecting a close game but in the end, I’ll take senior quarterback Riley Skinner from Wake to outplay sophomore Christian Ponder.
Pick: Wake Forest +4
Boise State Broncos (+10.5) @ Oregon Ducks
After coming back from a 17-point deficit and pulling out an overtime victory in Purdue, the Ducks return home for a game with injuries
mounting at the quarterback position. Nate Costa was injured in August and replacement Justin Roper is out after suffering a knee injury in the first overtime last week.
That leaves one of the nation’s leading offenses without its top two quarterbacks with sophomore Jeremiah Masoli and freshman Chris Harper left to run the show. And run they will. Oregon can rack up big yards on the ground and expect them to use all their talent to smash the ball against the Broncos.
Oregon’s slow start cost me last week but I like them at home this week.
Pick: Oregon -10.5
Virginia Tech Hokies (+2.5) @ North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina beats up Rutgers and now they are a favorite over Virginia Tech? I don’t get it. Sure, the Hokies lost at home to a good East Carolina team but they beat Georgia Tech on their own turf last weekend. Virginia Tech has won the last four games between these teams and showed last year that they have the ability to improve as the season progresses.
And while North Carolina’s 44-12 win over Rutgers looks impressive, it should be known that Rutgers actually had more yards of total offense in the game. North Carolina won thanks to four interceptions and you can’t count on the defense forcing that many turnovers this week.
Pick: Virginia Tech +2.5
